Hat flange ironing machine



March 10, 1953 w. M GINNIS 2,630,946

HAT FLANGE IRONING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 10, 1953 w. McGlNNlS 2,630,946

HAT FLANGE momma MACHINE Filed June 17, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WaZ?-r $252717: 5,

Mrs/v r02 March 10, 1953 w. M GINNIS HAT FLANGE IRONING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 17, 1947 Av r! 702 @744 M,

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5 n .llllll March 10, 1953 w. M GINNIS HAT FLANGE IRONING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4' Filed June 17, 1947 J H v M. 6 n a .1 a i my .a n g 7. i M M I B a p k w a u m W a; a:

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE.

2,630,946 HAT FLANGE IRONIN G MACHINE Walter McGinnis, Alhambra, Calif., assignor of one-third to Edward Charles McGinnis, Long Beach, and one-third to Kenneth James Mc- Ginnis, Huntington Park, Calif.

Application June 17, 1947, Serial No. 755,133

This invention is a hat flanging machine Various machines have been proposed, and some used, for the mechanical ironing of hat flanges; that is, the pressing is done by machines including means to apply an iron, of one kind or another, to the flange-the intent being to eliminate manual iron operation. Machines that are now in use, and the patent art machines are not what can be called simple, mostly necessitate a running support for the hat to be pressed. Machines for this purpose and now in use are very costly, are cumbersome and heavy, and, most seriously, are not of rapid operation in capacity production.

Therefore, it may be stated that one of the cardinal objects of the instant invention is to provide an automatic flanging machine that is relatively simple, considering the problem, and of high production capacity.

A high purpose of the invention is to provide a flanging machine which reduces operator's attention to a minimum so that one operative of average ability may attend to several of these machines while they are running without noticeable fatigue. Fatiguefrom manual ironing of hat flanges is notorious and operatives must have frequent rests or change of work during a day's time at work.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a flanging machine in which running assemblies are reduced to a minimumthis machine incorporating but a single organization which requires motion during the ironing processt'jthat organization including a rotative ironing head. 7

Also, an object of the invention is to provide a machine powered mechanism for instantly shifting the ironing head toward and from a hat supporting, flanging block, and in-this connection an object is to provide means to be manually actuated so that the ironing head may be shifted away from the block irrespective of the instant position of the head shifting mechanism.

. Provision is given by this invention for the safe holding down of a hat block on its associated conventional portable-type stand by operative parts forming a feature of the ironing head," and a provision is made to greatly facilitate the temporary mounting of one or another of an assortment of hat blocks on one of the and n geasily mechanically accomplished,

,33 Claims. (Cl. 223-14) or "band edge of the'hat flange. This invention provides an ironging head having certain ironing members functioning expressly to carefully work on an annular zone of the flange immediately adjacent to the band edge whilst other coordinate and relatively independently moving iron members are at work on respective zones o'f the hat flange outwardly from the band'zone.

The invention has as a further object the pm vision of means which will permit of the very rapid and reliable placement'of successive stand-'- and-block sets, each carrying a properly applied and secured hat, into given position for the linmediately following, lowering of the ironing head onto the hat and the rapid rotation of the said head in its effective position on the flanges, and

it can here be stated that means are providedwhereby to carefully predetermine the effective weight of the ironing head in operating position on the engaged (and sheathed) hat flange. And means are provided whereby if so desiredwateri vapor can be supplied at the hat flange. v The present machine is for the rapid pressing of hat flanges which areoval in plan and generally curve upward at the rim and means are provided to elfect an oval, orbital motion of "the ironing head in close conformance to the figure of the plan of the flange.

For economical operation and safety means are--included for electrically heating the ironing head by providing-certain of its ironing mem-'- bers with included heating elements of approved type, other elements of the head being heated by radiation from the generating members,anirautotive so wishes.

"The mechanism which functions to lower andraise the ironinghead is preferably of a type in--': eluding a fluid pressure operated piston and the invention embodies a swivel connection whereby the rotative head is suspended and which provides for the ready upward shift of the 118311 381. sembly whilst the suspending piston may be'ini its lower position. Also this connection provides for a lost descending motion of the swivel-- hanger device immediately after the ironing ele--' ments of thehead have come to reston the presented hat flange it will notbe repeatedthat to effectively, rapidly and safely press the inner the hat flange is normally covered by a moist and protecting fabric). This lost motion swivel safely allows for very material vibrations of the ironing head incidental to irregularities of hat flanges and the supporting blocks that may be presented to the effective head.

With respect to the ironing head its structure involves a rotary carrier, which will hereinafter be called the member, and with it is reciprocatively combined a basket having a set of independently pivoted, closely nested, generally flat, parallel respective-zone pressing elements Since the whole head structure will operate ata considerable degree of heat, an object here is to provide an eflicient and long life bearing between the said member and the basket.

The invention resides in certain advancements in this art as set forth in the ensuing disclosure and has, with the above, additional objects and advantages as hereinafter developed, and whose constructions, combinations and details of means will be made manifest in the following description of the herewith illustrative embodiments and their manner of operation; it being understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may be resorted-to within the scope, spirit and principles ofthe invention as claimed in conclusion hereof.

Fig. 1 is a sectional, front elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan showing the table and its affixed, block stand centering device and an applied, portable block stand and its centering device. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a side ofaflange block with ironing plates in effective position and partly broken away. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section of an ironing head, on the tilt-. ing axis of the irons. Fig. 5 is a plan of a star wheel of an iron rocking device. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of a fly-iron detached from its respective carrying iron (of Fig. 3). Fig. 7 is a plan of a modified form of ironing head. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a detached iron, in effectiveposition. Fig. 9 is an elevational, vertical section of the elevatingjack assembly (omitting certain parts just above the ironing head block). Fig. 10 is a detail view of the hold down device for the driving pulley of the ironing shaft. Fig. 11 is a detail view of a shaft brake locking key. Fig. 12 is a diagram of the electrical circuits. Fig. 13 is a plan of an iron tilting cam. Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of the head shown in plan in Fig. '7. Fig. 15 is a; vertical section along the axis of the tilting irons of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a plan of the elliptic, iron reciprocating cam.

On a suitable bed 2 there is a central, friction pad 3, Fig. 2, on the rear portion of which is fixed a V-plan jig 4 opening forwardly for the ready and quick insertion and solid positioning of a suitable and preferably standard type of flange stand 5, commonly of elliptical and tubular form. Onto the top of the stand is readily attachable (ata remote hat bench not shown) one or another of a variety of flange blocks 6, Fig. Lento the top of;which a hat flange is imposed, and generally moistened. A portion of an applied hat flange F is shown in Fig. 3; being omitted elsewhere for. clarityof disclosure of the mechanism.

These flange blocks are of hat flange shape in plan and are of ring form, and the crown of an applied hat hangs in the block chamber of the stand 5. It is highly desirable that the flange block be securely disposed on the stand 5 to prevent tilting and objectionable vibration of the block on the stand when in ironing position in the machine herein described.

Therefore, to provide for fast assembly of a flange block on a plate or iron flange stand, and to secure long life of the block for repeated use, in hat ironing operations, the stand is provided with front and rear dowel pins 8, in its top face, to readily enter the conical mouth, pin centering, armor sockets} sunk inv the flat bottom of the block 5, Fig. l. The conic mouth 9m,facilitates rapid placement of a flange block onto the pins of a stand (before insertion of the stand in this ironing machine). The sockets 9 prevent wear of the wooden blocks and with the elongate pins 8 fitting well into thebores of the sockets make an effective stabilizing connection of the block onto its stand and make a safely portable assembly to be quickly thrust into the bed jig. The side walls of the jig fit and center the block stand, whose rear'flat-wall 4r rests firmly on the back wall of the jig; which thus centers and supports the stand, aided by the friction pad 3.

Rigidly upstanding from the bed 2 is a substantial frame It which supports the several mechanisms of this machine. There is suitably journaled in this frame a substantial, rotary andpreferably tubular shaft H, a feature beingfthat a vaporous fluid is supplied to this shaft by way of a flexible hose [2, Fig. 9, to a fixed'fitting 1-3 feeding shaft ports 14' just below a shaft boreplug (5; aplug l8 closing the lower end of the shaft, this hanging vertically over the center of the reinovably interposed flange block on the bed. The vapor is discharged from the shaft byway of a small, rigid tube 11, Fig. 14, directly ontothe flange of a hat being pressed by a next described ironing head.

The ironing head.

Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate oneembodimentof an ironing head. The headhere disclosed is distinguished'by the provision of asystem of wholly independent plates or irons each of which is de-. signed to orbitally traverse a generally oval zone of a hat flange while the flange is, solidly. supported ona flange block 6, Fig. 14. The plates are of suitable thickness and flat and vertically dis-. posed side by side in a close gang and vertically oscillate on a common transverse spindle 20. The spindle is supported at its ends in parallel vertical side walls 2! and 22 of a gang basket which slidably embraces a substantial carrier member 23 rigidly fixed on the lower endof the shaft ll; Fig. 7 showing the carrier member andits irons in, plan.

To effect efiicient reciprocation and easy lubrication of the hot iron cage on the member 2.3 upper and lower pairs of block-shape bearings 24 are pivoted on cross bolts 25 in the cage wallsv 2l-22 and beyond opposite sides of the inter-- posed shaft i I to provide for across-shaft reciprocation of the Cage on the member 23, horizontally above the flange block 6. A substantial tension spring 26 connected to the, plug 15 and to the cage tends to constantly pull the cage in one direction against a controlling cam device, mentioned later.

Referring in detail to the pivoted irons as best seen in Figs. 8 and 14, a central iron 28 pivots directly on the spindle 20 and moves freely between the cage walls 2l--22 and under a bridge 29. aflixing said walls at one end. Fig. 14 shows certain irons broken away to uncover the bottom portion of the central iron 28 as being in a position to engage and press a zone of the hat flange immediately at and aroundthe band seam of the flange.

It isa particular'objectof, this invention. to provide an iron of plate form which will"very-= roller 30 constantly pulled by a spring 29s against a step-face cam 31 rotatively mounted on the bridge 29 and fixed to a star wheel 32 which,as the shaft I l rotates the carrier member 23 and its cage, will intermittently engage an intercepting, fixed prong 33 on the frame 10. r g

To secure a very efficient ironing head the spindle 29 is provided with stepped journal sleeves 34 outwardly of the walls 2l22 and on the steps thereof is a right-hand side set of irons or plates 35, 36 and 31 which are slightly rela-- tively spaced for free action on their sleeve 34. On the left side of thecage is a set of irons 38, 39'and-40, on respective steps of their sleeve .34.

The irons of the two said sets all-freely swing.

vertically and their-outermost bottom edgeportions are adapted to firmly drop into effective position on respective, concentric zones of the.

presented hat flange as the entire ironing headis lowered for that purpose, as will be explained.

The tilt of the irons (exceptiron 28) is limited by a stop bar 4|, Fig. 14, on the cage, and-as the ironing edges of the irons 35 to 40,.inc1usive,, engage the hat flange these irons tilt up and their own weight is all the pressure imposed on the flange at the respective zone. The iron 28 is applied in a nicely determined degree, as hereinafter stated. e

- It is found to be not necessary to provide all of the independent irons of the head with individual heating means. As shown, the center iron 28 is provided with an electric heating element 2871. (of conventional form) and irons 35 and 39 have heating elements 36h and 39h respectively, Figs. '7 and 12, and when these latter are energized the flanking irons on each side of the irons 36 and 39 will be efficiently heated by radiation therefrom; also by conduction.

In the iron 28 there is a thermostatic switch 4| connected in the main circuit 42-43 to break the heating circuit to the elements at a predetermined high temperature. Each of the heating elements is connected in parallel to the main circuit 4243, Fig. 12. I

There is shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a form of ironing head assembly in which all of the independent irons 28, 35, 36,31, and 38, 39 and 40, are arranged on the supporting spindle 29 (and its step bearings) between external cage walls 2lc and 220 which are connected by a bridge 290 at one end and a tie 2925 at the other end, Fig. 1. The walls 2lc and 220 have windows with top and bottom, longitudinal channel tracks 45 in which pairs of bearing rollers 46, having trunnions'4'l in the driving member 23', operate due to longitudinal reciprocation of the cage which carries the ironing head (the iron assembly).

The iron reciprocator channel cam 50 which fits in the cap groove 48g to keep it from vertical motion as to the cam... Fig. 16. A cam roller 49 is pressedinward by a.

tension spring 26; the outer wall of the channel cam preventing undue out thrust of thecage, as

might occur; and the main cam roller 49' normally running on the rim.of the cam .50. The cam 50' is rigidly-secured to a cross-brace of the frame l0, concentrically of the shaft ll and therefore as the cage isrotated by the shaft the oval .contour of the cam causes the cage tov concurrently reciprocate with the resultant generally ovate orbital sweep of the ironing assemblyv while the irons are in engagement with a hat flange reposing on the flange block 6 then interposed below the ironing head, Fig. 1.

Iron raising and lowering means Before a hat block can be safely put in ironing position under the ironing head this should be elevated a suitable degree. Moreover, it is desirable that when the irons are'inlowered,e1fective position the center iron 28 will have a pre-.

the shaft I I a pulley 52 driven at a suitable speed by a gear ratio motor unit 53. The lower hub of the pulley has a flat flange 54 which is engaged and held against axial shift by yoke arms 55 of a bracket 56 extending up from a ehair'5l. On the chair is pivoted a manual lever 59 whose outer end carries a poise 60 of suitable and variableweight (as by buck shot load) and whose inner end includes a yoke 6| engaging an outer, free ring 62 of a ball bearing mounted on the shaft against end play. By this lever the shaft assembly can be instantly thrust upward to lift the irons from the hat; while the shaftis idle or is rotating. 1

The shaft brake Means are provided for the purpose of arrest-- ing the rotation of the shaft as it is elevated to upper position clearing the ironing head from the work.

Above the shaft vapor joint. I3, Fig. 9, the frame! is provided with-a journ-al.65 on the lower end of which is clamped a collar 66 in which float vertical bolts 61' carryinga brake disc 68 faced with a friction pad 69.

Fixed on the shaft H is a, ball bearing race 10 having an outer ring H on which is fixed a discal brake shoe 12, whereby, as the shaft is elevated its rotation is quicklystopped by engagement, with the fixed pad '69. The brake can be decommissioned, made inoperative, at will by pulling out a latch 13 from a socket 14 in the shaft. The latch can be locked open'by rotation thereof in its sleeve l5to bring a holding pin .16 across the outer end of the sleeve;"thishavifng a longitudinal spline slot- 15s for the pin.

The shaft power flack p A distinctive feature of this invention resides in a power mechanism, preferably of fluid pressure type, for lowering and raising the shaft and its attachments at will of the operative.

' Extending up from the journal '65 there is a fixed sleeve 18 having a top bushing 19 in which is fixed'the lower end oftafpneupiatic motor 7'? cylinder 8|! having a piston. rod 8|. extending down through the bushing. 19:.

' I-n mechanism provision is made for free rotation of the shaft as. to the elevating rod 8| and also for a freev ascent or descent as to the said rod. Hence a swivel is provided including a thimble 82. fixed on the upper end of the shaft, the bore. of which provides for the relative descent of the intruded end of the rod 8|. On the rod end is' mounted .a ball bearing 83in which the'rod is-axially slidable, from the upper position, Fig; 9, to a lower position in the shaft.

- The bearing '83 includes an outer ring 837' which is fixed in the thimble 82 and by which the shaft is raised or lowered by the non-rotative rod 8!, while the shaft is idle or is rotating.

From the above it will be seen that the piston rod lowers the ironing head onto the surface of the subjacent hat flange and after the head is arrestedon the flange the rod can move down. its full piston stroke and leave the full, eifective load of the several irons for pressure on the hatflange- The motor control It is desirable that the motor 53 will be automatically stopped as the driven shaft H is elevated, and automatically started again as the shaft moves down for another pressing operation in the machine, and provision is made for such functions.

Fixed on the frame cross piece is a post 90 on which is sl'idable a spool-shaped cylinder 9! which embraces the near side of the ring 62 and therefore is reciprocated by and with it (and the shaft). The. upper end of. the cylinder 9| has a rim 92 which, as the cylinder rises, engages and throws off a yieldable switch 93 fixed on the frame and thereby breaks the motor circuit 94, Fig. 12. When the shaft H is next lowered the actuating. rim. recedes and allows the automatic switch 93. to again close the motor circuit.

While the motor is idle a fresh hat, on a flange block, is thrust onto the bed 2 and the jack lever 85 is struck down to effect the lowering of the iron carrying shaft H. After a little practice on runningthemachine-the-operative may desire to. speed up production and therefore a by-pass circuit switch 95, Fig. 12, is wired around the automatic switch 93, for use at will for securing continuous operation of the motor and the shaft I'll. The shaft can be 'reciprocated readily at will. during continuous rotation by its motor.

The heater circuit Thecircuit 42-43 includes a pair of y-i'eldable contact brushes 42b and 43b" mounted and insulated in the block 2% and in constant contact with insulated brush rings 421- and 431', Fig. 12,.

fixed to the stationary cam 50. From the rings extend insulated wires 42-pand 43p connecting to'bus wires P for power from a remote master switch 56 which serves the motor circuit. A local, service switch 91 is provided in the motor circuit for convenient use;

It will be seen that collectively the several irons will effectively cover the entire hat flange surface that is to be pressed.

Figs. 3 and -6 illustrate small. flyirons 38a? having pivots 38p suitably mounted. for instance in an iron 38, toeach sweep in respective, close zones of the flange; as may be desired in some cases-instead of having the foot of the iron itself (10- the pressing.

' The fitting 13 is. swivelled against axial shift on the-shaft l I by key screw [3k interlocking in a respective.- peripheral groove l lg in the shaft- The grooved block 49 has anout-throw con.- trol roller 49" hocking into the channel of the flxed cam 5U, Fig. 14.

What is claimed is:

1. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, means including a stationary hat block having a; rim for supporting a hat flange with one face outwardly, and means for ironing the flange and comprising a shifta-ble mechanism including a carrier, means to rotate the carrier above the hat flange on the block and an. ironing head structure reciprocative on the carrier while the latter is in rotation, and means for shifting said mechanism toward and from the block.

2. The machine of. claim 1.; said shifting. means including a fluid power actuated device for shifting said mechanism to move the said head structure toward and from. effective position and being connected to said mechanism by a swivel joint.

3. The machine of claim- 1; said shifting means including power means to reciprocate said mechanism and including a piston, and a swivel and lost-motion connection between the power piston and the mechanism.

4. The machine of claim 1; said shifting means including power means including. a piston having lost motion connection to said mechanism whereby to lower the head structure to effective position on the hat flange and then disconnect:

fromv the said structure so that only the load of the weight of the said structure is effective in pressing the engaged flange.

5. The machine of claim 1.; and said shifting means including; a suspending device for the said mechanism and which disengages therefrom when the head structure is in effective position on the flange, and a counterbalance attached to the said structure to predetermine its effective weight.

6. The machine of claim 1;- said shifting means including a raising and lowering power pistondevice for and connected to thesaid mechanism. and auxiliary manual means for raising the structure while the said device is at its lower position.

'7. A hat: flanging machine including a power reciprocated elevator shaft, a power rotated: jack shaft coaxial with the elevator shaft and a lost.- motion and swivel connection between said shafts, a stationary flange block coaxial with said shafts, a carrier fixed to the jack shaft to turn therewith, a basket mounted on. the jack shaft carrier for transverse reciprocation as to the jack shaft and having a set of ironing elements to engage and orbitally run on 2. presented hat flange on said block, means connected to and for effecting reciprocation of the basket while it is rotating orbitally on the hat flange.

.8. The machine of claim 7'; the last named means including a cam characterized to efiect a motion of the set of irons complementary to the oval plan of a given: hat flange to be pressed the cam being of the positive, double acting type for to and fro action on the basket.

9. A hat flanging machine including a shaft of said structure and a vapor supply pipe having a swivel connection with the rotary shaft.

10. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, a jack shaft and means for rotatively driving the shaft, a carrier corotatively fixed on the shaft, an ironing head including a basket, having pivoted plate irons, mounted on the said carrier to reciprocate transversely as to the shaft, and a stationary channel track engaged by a fixed port of the basket to give the irons an oval circuit complementary to a given oval-plan hat flange presented to the irons.

11. The machine of claim said track extending around the shaft and a roller on said fixed port of the basket bearing on said track part. I

12. Themachine of claim 10; said sha'ft being axially shiftable to lower and raise the said head, and a track engaging roller having a splined connection with the said fixed port and being operatively connected with the track against shift with the shiftable head basket.

13. The machine of claim 10; said track surrounding the shaft, a cam engaging roller mounted on the said part, and means constantly urging the roller to engagement with the station guided against undue vibration and means for giving the basket an oval orbit.

15. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, a rotative jack shaft, a hanger member fixed on and transverse to the shaft, an ironing head basket member substantially enclosing the hanger member, parallel side sets of journal elements pivotally mounted on one of said members and reciprocatively engaging the other member, and means for relatively reciprocating the said members during rotation of the shaft.

16. The machine of claim 15; said elements consisting of top and bottom sets of oscillative bearing blocks carried by the cage member and engaging respective top and bottom faces of the hanger member.

17. The machine of claim 15; said elements consisting of lateral sets of rollers pivoted on the hanger member and interengaged with adjacent sides of the basket to prevent up or down movement thereof as to the hanger block.

18. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, an ironing head including a rotary hanger member, a basket rotative with and reciprocatively mounted on said member, and an ironing device consisting of a gang of independent, given-zone ironing, plate-form irons having a common center of free oscillations on and carried by the rotary basket, and means for rotating said member and the basket.

19. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, a main carrier member and means to rotate the member, a basket supported on and rotative with said member and means to reciprocate the basket on and while the member is rotating, and an ironing device including a plurality of ironing parts pivotally supported on the basket for independent oscillation and for travel in an oval orbit corresponding to, and to engage, a presented hat flange.

20. Ahat flanging machine having, in combination, an ironing head including a rotary basket having a transverse. pivot therein, and a gang of parallel plates all freely hung along saidpivot and having bottom ironing surfaces to engage and traverse a presented stationary hat flange, means for rotating said basket, and means for reciprocating the. plates on the hat during rotation of r the basket.

21. The machine of claim 20; said plates being pivoted off center on said common pivot so as to gravitate atone end to effective position, and means to limit swing of the plates.

22. The machine of claim, 20; said pivot including a stepped bearing device with separate steps for the plates and on which the plates have capacity for a small degree of free side play for self-positioning on the hat flange; I

. 23. The machine of claim 20; one of the ironing plates being operative on a zone immediately at and orbitally around the bandseam of the hat, and means operatively mounted 'on the basket for mechanically oscillating said plate while" the basket is rotating to effect ironing pressure immediately along the. seam edge.

, 24. The machine of claim 23; said means including a rotary, multistep, controlling ca r n for the seam zone plate, and a camrollermounted on the last named plate and yieldably engagingthe cam.

25. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, a stationary work bed having a jig guide and stop device thereon for reception of a portable hat block and stand assembly for supporting a hat with a flange face outward, and an ironing mechanism arranged coaxially above the bed jig device and including an ironing head adapted to the bodily axially moved down to effectively engage and press the hat flange on an introduced stand assembly, and means to effect rotation of the ironing head.

26. A hat flanging machine including a work bed, a flanging block and stand assembly unitarily, readily removably resting unaflixed to and on said bed, and a flange block stabilizing and pressure device mounted axially above and to move to and from the assembly and including an element orbitally moving and pressing at about and on the band line zone of a hat flange on the block.

27. The machine of claim 25; said device including a plate iron having a flat, bottom ironing face reciprocative on the inner, seam zone of the hat flange, and means for oscillating said iron at the seam edge of the flange while the device is moving orbitally on and around the flange.

28. A hat flanging machine having, in combination, a table having an open-side jig, a hat block and stand unit adapted to be bodily readily thrust into the jig and held thereby for processing, and hat flange pressing mechanism operatively mounted on the table and including a rotary jack shaft coaxial with the jig, a carrier fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith, a cage reciprocative on the carrier across the shaft, and a system of ironing plates tiltably mounted on one end of the cage and having effective bottom faces to engage and orbitally sweep and reciprocate on the flange of a hat mounted on the hat block, and means for shifting the system of plates to and from the hat flange.

29. The machine of claim 28; the said unit being unattached to the table and manually readily removable with its pressed hat from the table while the cage and its irons are in elevated position.

30. ,A. hat flangingmachine including a power .reoiprocated elevator shaft, a power rotated jack shalt coaxial with the elevator shaft and a 10st motion and swivel connection between said shafts, a portable, non-rotary flange stand and flange block supported axially below the jack shaft, a carrier fixed corotatiyely on the lower portion of the jack shaft, a basket transversely ,reciprocative, on and carried by said carrier and having a system of vertically oscillatiye irons pivoted thereon and rotative orbitally on the flange of .a presented, stationary hat, and means tor transversely reciprocating the carrier during the orbital movement of the irons.

31.. In :a hat fianging machine, a hat block means for supporting a hat with its flange presen-ted, for.- ironins pressure, and. means coaxial with said block means for pressing the flange andinoluding an ironing assembly having a set of relatively movable ironing members with flange contactfaces; said block means and said ironing, means being relatively mtative.

:32... The machine. of. claim .31; said members operating under the iorceof gravity only on an engaged hat.

33., The machine of claim 31; said. members being independently pivoted on a carrier part of the assembly and operative by gravity of their own weight. only for pressing function.

WALTER McGINNIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wilson Nov. 27, 1883 Eickemeyer Aug. 10-, 1897 Bobsien Apr. 12, 1898 Neuwelt June 29, 1926 Reynolds Oct. 26, 1926 Man-xi .l.. June 28, 1932 Angelus et a1 Aug. 16, 1932 Hobgood Oct. 29, 19.33 Schlesinger Jan. 1, 1985 dchnltZe Sept. 10, 1935 Eiohenbaum Feb. 21, 1939 Schultze June 6, 1939 Kaufman et al Aug. 8, 1944 Miller May 7, "1946 Goodchild Apr. 16, 1949 

